A University of Wisconsin System official told the Board of Regents Thursday students could see the lowest increase in tuition in recent years if Gov. Scott Walker’s biennial budget proposal passes through the state legislature with minimal changes.
The board heard a presentation from UW System Associate Vice President for Budget and Planning Freda Harris about the specifics of the $181.4 million in new state funding coming to the system over the next two years.
“It's been a while since I've been able to say it's a pleasure to talk about budgets,” Harris said, adding this is the first budget since the 1980s that did not contain any cuts or lapses.
Harris gave a breakdown of the system’s projected funding, focusing on the $89.4 million provided in a flexible block grant.
According to Harris, the block grant was provided to give the board increased flexibility to address its “highest priorities,” such as employee compensation and instructional needs.
“This budget changes how the university operates,” Harris said.
Regent Charles Pruitt commended Walker on the additional flexibilities given to the board and the system as a whole.
“This is something we've been looking for for a very long time,” Pruitt said. “It is a major step forward.”
As a result, Harris said the budget could lead to the lowest tuition increase in recent years if it moves through the legislature as proposed. She added it could help to close the gap between student and state contributions for education per student, of which student tuition currently accounts for approximately 70 percent.
However, Harris also pointed out the governor did not include the financial aid increases in the board’s budget request.
The board also heard an update on the approximately $34 million in Human Resources System overpayments for employee health and retirement benefits, which were discovered earlier this year.
According to UW System Senior Vice President for Administration & Fiscal Affairs Michael Morgan, there have been no new problems identified since the board’s last meeting. He also said there has been no evidence of fraud involved in the overpayments.
“It's clear that hopefully we're getting near the end of any challenges,” Morgan said.
